“Did you really think we’d pay for your birthday party? Why would we?” Bella pushed the bill back toward her mother-in-law.

Ellene’s seventieth birthday felt like a milestone worthy of grandeur. She had picked the Golden Pearl restaurant with its chandeliers, live music, and gourmet menu. She called her son Marcus with excitement.

“Isn’t it wonderful? My friends are thrilled too!”

Marcus sighed, already drowning in work. “How much will it cost, Mom?”

“Don’t worry. Once in a lifetime, you can afford it!” she said.

When he told his wife Bella, she frowned. “That place isn’t cheap. Your mom never holds back.”

Soon Ellene had booked the banquet hall, ordered flowers, cake, and a photographer. The guest list grew to thirty.

“Mom, maybe something simpler?” Marcus asked nervously.

“Marcus! Am I a pauper? Seventy is serious!” she snapped.

On the day, the party dazzled. Ellene glowed under compliments, urging more champagne, more dishes. Bella silently calculated the cost and panicked.

When the waiter brought the bill, Ellene didn’t look. “Marcus, you pay it,” she said casually.

“What? This is your birthday,” he whispered.

“Yes! Who else would pay?”

Bella opened the check. “One hundred and twenty-eight thousand rubles.”

Ellene waved it off. “So what? Money comes and goes.”

“Mom, we don’t have that kind of money,” Marcus said.

“You both work! How can you not?” she argued.

Bella lost patience. “You organized it. You pay.”